Celtuce is an annual vegetable that prefers moist soil deeply enriched with well-rotted manure. Since its taste is just like a cross between lettuce and celery it can be used in numerous food recipes. It is a healthy and nutritious addition to your daily diet.
| Celtuce Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Celtuce |
| Scientific Name: | Lactuca sativa var. angustana |
| Origin | Southern China |
| Colors | Light Green |
| Shapes | Thick and tender stalks 15–20 cm and a diameter of around 3–4 cm |
| Taste | Cross between lettuce and celery |
| Calories | 18 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Manganese (29.91%) Vitamin A (25.00%) Vitamin C (21.67%) Vitamin B9 (11.50%) Potassium (7.02%) |
Also Known as asparagus lettuce, celery lettuce, stems lettuce, Chinese lettuce, celtuce is an annual vegetable that is cultivated mostly for its edible stem. It seems a cross between lettuce and celery, celery-like stalks and lettuce-like leaves, hence the name, but in fact, it is a variety of lettuce originating from southern China. It is commonly known as Wosun in China and is found used in numerous food items because of its soft, translucent, green central core, which is the edible part of Celtuce. Balady Aswan and Max Green are two popular varieties of celtuce grown for their soft and translucent stems.
This widely used crisp, moist, and mild flavor vegetable is a member of the Apiaceae ⁄ Umbelliferae family and Apium L. genus. Its scientific name is Lactuca sativa var. angustana.
Celtuce – Lactuca sativa var. angustana Facts
| Name | Celtuce |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lactuca sativa var. angustana |
| Native | Southern China |
| Common/English Name | Asparagus lettuce, stem lettuce, Chinese lettuce or celery lettuce |
| Name in Other Languages | China: wosun |
| Plant Growth Habit | Annual Vegetable |
| Growing Climate | Grows best in cool season in cool and moist locations. |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained, deeply enriched with well-rotted manure. |
| Plant Size | 25-30 cm high. |
| Stem Shape and Size | Thick and tender stalks 15–20 cm and a diameter of around 3–4 cm. |
| Stem Color | Light Green |
| Stem skin | Woody skin |
| Stem weight | About 1 Kg |
| Stem Flavor | Crisp, moist, and mildly flavored |
| Stem Taste | Taste is like a cross between lettuce and celery |
| Leaf | Large butter head type, Dark green, lime green, AND deep red leaves. |
| Varieties/Types | Balady aswan and Max Green |
| Major Nutrition | Manganese, Mn 0.688 mg (29.91%) Vitamin A, RAE 175 µg (25.00%) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 19.5 mg (21.67%) Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid) 46 µg (11.50%) Potassium, K 330 mg (7.02%) Iron, Fe 0.55 mg (6.88%) Magnesium, Mg 28 mg (6.67%) Phosphorus, P 39 mg (5.57%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.07 mg (5.38%) Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.055 mg (4.58%) |
| Health Benefits | |
| Calories in 1cup (100gm) | 18 Kcal |
Celtuce Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Lactuca sativa var. angustana
| Rank | Scientific Name & (Common Name) |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae (Plants) |
| Subkingdom | Viridiplantae |
| Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (Land plants) |
| Superdivision | Embryophyta |
| Division | Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes) |
| Sub division | Spermatophytina (Spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder | Asteraceae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflowers, tournesols) |
| Genus | Lactuca L. (Lettuce) |
| Species | Lactuca sativa L. (Garden lettuce, |
Plant
Celtuce is an annual vegetable, which is defined as a plant that matures and ends its lifecycle over the course of a single year. The normal height of the plant is 25-30 cm and it grows in cool season in cool and moist locations and prefers well-drained, moist soil, deeply enriched with well-rotted manure. The stem is generally harvested at a length of about 15–20 cm and a diameter of around 3–4 cm. Celtuce has large butterhead types, dark green, lime green, and deep red leaves. Celtuce is usually quite a low-maintenance plant and is generally very easy to grow – perfect for beginner gardeners! In China, where it is grown in commercial quantities, the fleshy stem is cut into sections and cooked by boiling or stewing. Leaves may be eaten in salads or as greens when they are young and tender but as they mature they grow bitter and become inedible.
Stem
Celtuce is generally grown in cool and moist locations for its soft, translucent green central core which can be used in salads, soups, and stir-fries, boiled or stewed. As soon as the stem reaches the height of 15–20 cm and a diameter of around 3–4 cm it is harvested. The outer skin is peeled, removing the portion containing the bitter sap. The stem features woody skin. The soft, translucent green central core is the edible part that has a crisp, moist, and mild flavor. Its taste is normally like a cross between lettuce and celery. They can be cooked just like broccoli and leaves can be used for salad.
History
Celtuce is actually a non-hearting relative of the lettuce, originating from southern China it was known as ‘Ou sen’. Later it was introduced into the western world during the 1890s and was originally identified as Asparagus Lettuce. Today, WōSŭn it is more often converted as Wo-ju, Wo Sun, or Wo-chu it is also known as celery lettuce, stem lettuce, or Chinese lettuce as is extremely popular worldwide.
Nutritional Value
Apart from their taste like a cross between lettuce and celery. Celtuce is a good source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Consuming 100g of celtuce offers 0.688 mg of Manganese, 175 µg of Vitamin A, 19.5 mg of Vitamin C, 46 µg of Vitamin B9, 330 mg of Potassium, 0.55 mg of iron, and 28 mg of Magnesium. Moreover many Amino acids like 0.006 g of Tryptophan, 0.039 g of Threonine, 0.055 g of Isoleucine, 0.052 g of Leucine, and 0.055 g of Lysine are also found in 100g of Celtuce.
Nutritional value of Celtuce
Calories 18 Kcal.Calories from Fat 2.7 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 94.5 g | N/D |
| Energy | 18 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 75 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 0.85 g | 1.70% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 0.3 g | 0.86% |
| Ash | 0.7 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 3.65 g | 2.81% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 4.47% |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 39 mg | 3.90% |
| Iron, Fe | 0.55 mg | 6.88% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 28 mg | 6.67% |
| Phosphorus, P | 39 mg | 5.57% |
| Potassium, K | 330 mg | 7.02% |
| Sodium, Na | 11 mg | 0.73% |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.27 mg | 2.45% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg | 4.44% |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.688 mg | 29.91% |
| Selenium, Se | 0.9 µg | 1.64% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.055 mg | 4.58% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.07 mg | 5.38% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.55 mg | 3.44% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.183 mg | 3.66% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.05 mg | 3.85% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid) | 46 µg | 11.50% |
| Folate, DEF | 46 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 19.5 mg | 21.67% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A, RAE | 175 µg | 25.00% |
| Vitamin A, IU | 3500 IU | N/D |
| Lipids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Phytosterols | 11 mg | N/D |
| Amino Acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.006 g | 1.36% |
| Threonine | 0.039 g | 2.22% |
| Isoleucine | 0.055 g | 3.29% |
| Leucine | 0.052 g | 1.41% |
| Lysine | 0.055 g | 1.64% |
| Methionine | 0.01 g | N/D |
| Cystine | 0.01 g | N/D |
| Phenylalanine | 0.036 g | N/D |
| Tyrosine | 0.021 g | N/D |
| Valine | 0.046 g | 2.18% |
| Arginine | 0.046 g | N/D |
| Histidine | 0.015 g | 1.22% |
| Alanine | 0.037 g | N/D |
| Aspartic acid | 0.093 g | N/D |
| Glutamic acid | 0.119 g | N/D |
| Glycine | 0.037 g | N/D |
| Proline | 0.032 g | N/D |
| Serine | 0.026 g | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs.
Health Benefits of Celtuce
Celtuce is a Manganese and vitamin C-rich vegetable that is used to deal with many health problems. Frequent consumption of Celtuce is considered extremely beneficial to remain healthy and happy.
How to Eat
- Celtuce can be consumed raw or cooked.
- Leaves are normally steamed or stir-fried in high heat because of their bitter taste.
- Leaves are also used as a bitter accent in a green salad.
- Stems are used as a substitute for celery in traditional French soups or salads.
- Stems are comparable to asparagus when they are steamed.
- Due to its mild flavor, stems are used to complement stir fry dishes.
- Celtuce is used in stir-fries and soups, consumed fresh or pickled.
- Leaves can be pulled from the stem as the plant grows and used in salads, or lightly cooked.
- The fleshy stem is cut into sections and boiled or stewed in China.
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